Torquay v NFU (NL)

Ferriby wrap-up their first-ever Vanarama National League season with a visit to Torquay United. It will be the club’s first visit to Plainmoor.

The Supporters’ Club will be paying for the cost of the overnight accommodation. It is an offer that shows how much the supporters have appreciated the team’s efforts this season despite being relegated.

Manager Steve Housham commented,

“I know the fans have been disappointed with this season’s results but they [the supporters] have been tremendous. They have urged on the team at our games and the players appreciate that support.

“It’s a tremendous gesture from the Supporters’ Club to pay for the accommodation at Torquay and we all thank them.”

This will not be a typical end-of-season game because Torquay need to win to guarantee their National League safety. Anything less than a win could see them drop in to the bottom four as wins for York or Braintree could see them overtake the Devon side.

Whilst Ferriby know their fate, they still have two targets from the game. A win will have the double effect of seeing the club avoid bottom spot and it would also see The Villagers complete a double.

Ferriby won the reverse fixture one-nil in August and would love to finish the season on a similar note.

Torquay have won eight, drawn five and lost nine of their home games. They have scored 32 goals and conceded 28 in those games. Ferriby will take some confidence from those figures as their best performances have probably been away from home.

Brett Williams is Torquay’s top scorer with 10 goals. The other goals have been shared amongst a number of players.

Housham commented further,
“We want to finish on a high note at Torquay. It has been a difficult season and being relegated has hurt us all. That said, I can’t fault the commitment and efforts of the players.

“This was the first season for most of them at this level of football and they have been competitive in most of our games. They have shown that they have the ability to play at this level. The experience will have done them good. It’s important to remember just how young the side is. Most of the experienced have suffered long-term injuries and that has affected us. There have been times when an “old head” would have been valuable during a game.”

Last Saturday’s defeat to Aldershot in the final home game of the season was disappointing but Ferriby could have few complaints about the result.
The Villagers matched The Shots for periods in the game but were given a lesson in finishing.

Ferriby’s relegation is what many people predicted but it was not the foregone conclusion that was forecast. It took until the 43rd game for the team to be relegated. Many had predicted bottom position and fewer than 20 points as the season’s outcome. Finishing last is still a possibility but teh side will be determined to avoid that at Torquay.

Housham again,
“I want the players to enjoy the trip to Torquay. I want them to enjoy the game and show people what they can do. For us, this game is perhaps little more than being about pride but a win is still important.